Allahabad HC grants bail to Pandher in five Nithari cases

The Allahabad High Court on Monday granted bail in five cases to Moninder Singh Pandher, prime accused in the grisly serial killings of many children in Nithari village, near Noida in 2006. However, Pandher is unlikely to come out of jail as eight other cases of murder are still pending against him.

Accepting Pandher’s bail plea, Justice Bharat Bhushan said there was no direct evidence against him as the cases were based on circumstantial evidence. He added that the confessional statement of Pandher’s domestic help and co-accused Surendra Koli did not implicate Pandher.

Pandher had allegedly confessed that he killed five minor girls and hacked them to pieces.

However, Justice Bhushan put certain conditions on the bail. Pandher has to furnish a personal bond and two heavy sureties before the court. He also has to be present at all hearing dates. Breach of any of the conditions shall give the trial court the right to cancel his bail.?

The horrific Nithari serial killings came to light in December 2006 after human remains were found in a drain behind Pandher's house in Noida on the outskirts of Delhi. Both Pandher and his domestic help Koli were arrested in connection with the serial murders of children from the neighbouring village, Nithari.